CCeMMP Seminar Series – A/Prof. Christopher Barnes April 2022

Structural characterization of conserved neutralizing epitopes on the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein

SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination produces neutralizing antibody responses that contribute to better clinical outcomes. The receptor binding domain (RBD) and the N-terminal domain (NTD) of the spike trimer (S) constitute major neutralizing targets for the antibody system. Here we describe structures of donor-derived broadly-neutralizing antibodies bound to RBD and NTD epitopes that are conserved across the major SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. We conclude SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or Wuhan-Hu-1 mRNA vaccination produces a diverse collection of memory B cells that produce anti-spike antibodies, some of which can neutralize variants of concern and likely contributes to the relatively benign course of subsequent infections with SARS-CoV-2 variants including omicron.

A/Prof. Christopher Barnes

Biology and ChEM-H Institute Scholar

Stanford University